Deloitte has unveiled the next stage of its evolution in Scotland, with the opening of its new Greenhouse in Edinburgh and the continued expansion of Deloitte Digital’s Edinburgh Studio.

The Edinburgh Greenhouse is part of a network of Deloitte Greenhouses around the globe and is the third in the UK. The physical space which holds up to 25 people at one time, will help the firm’s clients to create rapid digital and physical prototypes of scalable new products and services.

Built specifically to encourage collaboration and tackle challenges in new and different ways, Greenhouse labs create experiences for the participants where they immerse themselves in the challenge. It provides access to innovative technology such as 3D printers, virtual reality, analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms to help design and trial new products and services. It is also provides a high-energy, a creative environment, employing techniques and approaches to generate new insights and develop original ideas.

The Greenhouse complements the opening of Deloitte Digital’s third UK studio in Edinburgh, with similar studios already up and running in London and Belfast. The firm has nearly 2,500 specialists across its technology consulting and Deloitte Digital teams in the UK, with a wider global network of over 26,000 in 100 different countries.

The Deloitte Digital Edinburgh Studio is expected to employ an additional 70 people. By summer the Studio will have 20 specialists in digital design, product development, and technology, from across Scotland’s tech, digital agency, and start-up scenes.

Rich Hurley, Partner at Deloitte Digital, said: “Our new Greenhouse and Digital Studio underlines our continued commitment to, and investment in, Scotland, our clients, and our people. It will be a centre of excellence, with a distinctive identity and voice within Deloitte – providing services, not only to Scottish businesses, but nationally too. Our investment is underpinned by the strength of our Scottish client relationships, the breadth of the local talent base, and the opportunities presented by the burgeoning tech scene.

“The Greenhouse will help our clients to bring their ideas to life and giving them the ability to turn ideas into something real in a matter of weeks. It can be used for all sorts of purposes beyond product development: for example, using Virtual Reality to in financial services train staff on regulatory issues, which has a much bigger impact than looking through reams of documents.”

CYBG is one of the companies to have already benefited from Deloitte Digital’s offering. The Deloitte team worked with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank to launch B, its innovative new banking service.

Debbie Crosbie, Group COO, commented: “Deloitte worked with us to design and deliver B, our new omni-channel banking service, to the market. By bringing new ways of working along with their depth and breadth of expertise, they helped us turn an idea into reality.”

Hurley added: “Digital is our biggest growth area and our investment in the Edinburgh Studio marks a significant step forward in our evolution in Scotland. It creates a new type of space for our people, which coincides with our existing office in the city. The Greenhouse will immerse us further in Edinburgh’s ambitious start-ups and tech companies by working collaboratively with the wider community through initiatives like our recent Datathon and forthcoming Disrupt the Enterprise event for start-ups. We believe this can be a beacon for fostering partnerships and an important step forward for the entire sector.”

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